the city through a parade for him. the u.s. ambassador worked in the mayor's office then and recalls being overwhelmed with his presence. >> after the parade we were in the private chambers and is alone with him and awe struck sharing at him for a period. at some point i heard somebody say young man can i trouble you for a glass of water? i realized that he had been waiting on me to get him some water and i raced and did it and practically spilled it on him and i have to tell you, i've never felt more honored serving someone and i just wish i could do a little bit more for him. >> over the next four years, mandela was spear head negotiations. his journey from prisoner to president, transformed him from a revolutionary to a peacemaker. >> there is room for all the various races in this country. >> reporter: nelson mandela began the revolution in hiding, willing to do almost anything to end the apartheid regime, including violence. >> there are many people who feel it's useless for us to continue talking peace and non-violence ag